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Summary

A possible catch meadow of probable post-medieval to 19th century date is visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as narrow curvilinear earthwork ditches on the south-facing combe slopes north-east of Torpeek Farm. The earthworks have probably since been levelled.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

The southernmost ditch corresponds with an ‘aqueduct’ depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1880s First Edition 25inch map. The northernmost is not depicted.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 RP 3169-3170 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2105, RAF/CPE/UK/2105 RP 3054-3055 28-MAY-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351151.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

NERC, 2013, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) Tellus: South Devon to Dartmoor (Cartographic). SDV361514.

The northernmost ditch is not clearly identifiable.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2020, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

Two curvilinear ditches are visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as earthworks up to circa 2m wide and 215 long, closely following the contours of the south facing combe north-east of Torpeek Farm.
The southernmost ditch corresponds with an ‘aqueduct’ depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1880s First Edition 25inch map. The northernmost is not depicted.
The channels might simply be evidence of leats of post-medieval to 19th century date, used to supply Torpeek Farm with water. It is possible, however, that they were used as a catch meadow. Catch meadows diverted water from springs or streams and redistributed it along channels or gutters to irrigate combe slopes. Probably originating in the medieval period, they were in widespread use in Devon from the 19th to early 20th century.
It is possible that the catch meadow had passed out of use by the mid to late-9th century with some elements remaining in use as leats or aqueducts.
The southernmost ‘aqueduct’ remains depicted on the current MasterMap base map but the northernmost earthwork is not identifiable as an earthworks on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2013 has probably been levelled.

Ordnance Survey, 2020, MasterMap 2020 (Cartographic). SDV363413.

The southernmost ditch remains depicted as a watercourse.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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